The Charlotte Hornets have made a notable trade, sending center Nick Richards and one second-round pick to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Josh Okogie and three second-round picks, as reported by Shams Charania of Moneyline. Richards is in his fifth season and has been averaging 8.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game this year.

Josh Okogie, a seventh-year veteran, has contributed six points per game off the bench for the Suns. In addition to Okogie, the Hornets will acquire the Denver Nuggets' second-round picks for 2026 and 2031, while the Suns will gain a second-round pick from the Nuggets for 2025. The details of the second-round picks included in the trade highlight the ongoing strategies of both teams in shaping their future rosters.

The Suns have been facing challenges this season, currently ranking last in the NBA in points from their starting center position. Jusuf Nurkić, who has been battling illness and is day-to-day, has started 23 games at center with an average of 8.6 points per game. Following a brief stint coming off the bench, Nurkić has since dropped out of the rotation. Meanwhile, Mason Plumlee has started 16 games at center, managing four points per game. With Richards now in the mix, he could compete for a starting role alongside Plumlee and rookie Oso Ighadaro. Richards has shown potential with averages of 11.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in his nine starts this season, as well as an impressive 65 percent shooting from the field over the last four years—a mark that stands as the fifth-best in the league during that timeframe. The Suns, who began the season with promise, have struggled recently and are currently 11th in the Western Conference with a 19-20 record, facing a crucial road trip ahead of them. On the other hand, the Hornets are presently one of the least successful teams, sitting at 8-28, despite LaMelo Ball's impressive performance, averaging 29.7 points and 7.4 assists per game. While Okogie's addition may not dramatically alter the Hornets' playoff aspirations, he joins the team on a manageable two-year, $16 million contract. The trade appears more focused on amassing draft picks for Charlotte as they continue their rebuild, with reports indicating that they have secured two first-round and eight second-round picks in trades since January 2024, giving them valuable assets for future endeavors.